With a Song in My Heart

John Pizzarelli | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B001BP4U5E
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,960 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Jazz Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 19-AUG-2008

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Distinctive as always., September 14, 2008

By 

hal st soul (between London and Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: With a Song in My Heart (Audio CD)

This is the latest album from multi-talented 48 year old jazz guitarist and vocalist.
You know what to expect from Pizzarelli by now, but everything he does is so classy that he doesn't need to change a thing.
These 12 numbers have all the Pizzarelli hallmarks - unfussy arrangements, pithy solos and a judicious mixture of wit and sentiment. On this set, as always, his music is smooth and cool, embracing the heart of jazz.
In his notes he really hasn't explored what he considers the "upper tier" of The Great American Songbook.
"Often compared to Chet Baker, who inspired several tracks on this recording, Pizzarelli's voice lacks the emotional depth of the late singer/trumpeter, yet neverthless pulls the listener in through intimate conversation. From start to finish, Pizzarelli displays a gentle reverence for his material, both melody and lyric--we never fail "to recognize the tune". And the arrangements never interfere, never interrupt or overshadow the conversation".- JazzPolice
Pizzarelli explores all facets of the genre as he laces his sound with classics Richard Rodgers as well Nat King Cole and Gershwin tunes, but mostly seems to promote late night ballads. The album starts off kind of quick and upbeat, but turns into slow tracks that could rock you to a sound slumber. These tracks, which are the bulk of the album, resemble being the audience member in a club late at night.
He calls upon the superior arranging acumen of Don Sebesky and the seminal musicianship of veterans such as Larry Fuller, Tony Tedesco and his father Bucky Pizzarelli.
John brings a sweet voice to the album and resembles a very soft Sinatra. He's not belting out show stopping numbers that make heads turn, but he has a certain innocence that lies within his voice which can be soothing.
"Pizzarelli isn't belting out show tunes making people sway in the wind of his cathartic mystical notes excursion. Melancholy is present at the backend of the album, two thirds, making it seem like darkness is washing over.
No question about it, the talent is definitely there".-John Berkowitz
Musicians: John Pizzarelli (guitar and vocals), Larry Fuller (piano), Martin Pizzarelli (bass), Tony Tedesco (drums), John Mosca (trombone and baritone horn), Andy Fusco (alto and tenor saxophone, clarinet), Kenny Berger (baritone saxophone and bass clarinet), Tony Kadleck (trumpet and flugelhorn). With special guests: Cesar Camargo Mafiano (piano), Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar), and Don Sebesky (Swing Seven Arrangements).

Dear Mr. Sinatra

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Jolly Rodgers, October 3, 2008

By 

Ray Charles "Ray Charles, old movie fan" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: With a Song in My Heart (Audio CD)

John Pizzarelli continues to turn out wonderfully fresh versions of everything he touches. His singing and playing bring new life to some of Richard Rodgers old songs and resurrects wonderful half-forgotten songs like "Nobody's Heart" and "She Was Too Good To Me". This time he works with more than his quartet with some great arrangements by Don Sebesky. But it's John, himself, who makes this a highly recommended disc.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "It's Easy To Remember. . .But So Hard To Forget", October 13, 2008

By 

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: With a Song in My Heart (Audio CD)

"Must you bury the tune?" No way! With Richard Rodgers' beautiful and timeless melodies there's no way that music lovers will ever forget his music. Many thanks to guitarist/vocalist/composer/songwriter John Pizzarelli for paying homage to the unforgettable music of a brilliant composer.

"With A Song In My Heart: John Pizzarelli Sings The Music of Richard Rodgers" is one of the best tributes to the eternal music of one of the most brilliant composers in the history of American popular music, Richard Rodgers. It is also one of Mr. Pizzarelli's best recordings from his body of work. Lovers of Great American Songbook, fans of Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein will surely welcome and embrace this latest offering from one of the torch-bearers of the Great American Songbook.

John Pizzarelli together with a fine arranger Don Sebesky, brother Marty Pizzarelli (bass), Larry Fuller (piano), Tony Tedesco (drums), John Mosca (trombone/baritone horn), Andy Fosco (alto, tenor sax/clarinet), Kenny Berger (baritone sax/bass clarinet), Tony Kadleck (trumpet/flugelhorn), and special guests Cesar Camargo Mariano (piano) and his father Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar) will take the listeners to an enjoyable listening journey. Armed with their combined artistic musical talents, they present a dozen of Richard Rodgers melodies set to the brilliant and meaningful lyrics of Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein, two of the most intelligent lyricists from Tin Pan Alley starting off with a swinging rendition of one of the best tracks from this set, "With A Song In My Heart."

"I Have Dreamed" is a real beauty! I love its arrangement where you can hear Larry Fuller's beautiful piano bridge. It is interpreted and arranged with a touch of Bossa Nova making it so uniquely enchanting.

A pleasantly delightful track is a seldom-recorded song, and another Bossa Nova-infused-interpretation of "Happy Talk" from the Broadway musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific." It features guest musician Cesar Camargo Mariano on piano whose creative playing adds charms to it.

"It's Easy To Remember" is easily my choicest cut from this set of gems. It features the ingeniously beautiful guitar work of a fine guitarist, Bucky Pizzarelli. I could listen to this lovely track repeatedly and savor the allure that each and every note brings.

"Each little moment is clear before me
And though it brings me regret
It's easy to remember but so hard to forget"

My only quibble is the exclusion of some of the most-loved and my all-time favorites -- "My Romance," "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "Manhattan." It would have been superb if these three songs were included in the material. Nonetheless, it is still a great listen. I wholeheartedly recommend it and some of his most remarkable CDs as well -- Dear Mr. Sinatra, Dear Mr. Cole, After Hours, Bossa Nova, All of Me, Our Love Is Here to Stay and Let's Share Christmas.